desk: Meaning and Definition of

desk

Pronunciation: (desk), [key]
— n.
  1. an article of furniture having a broad, usually level, writing surface, as well as drawers or compartments for papers, writing materials, etc.
  2. a frame for supporting a book from which the service is read in a church.
  3. a pulpit.
  4. the section of a large organization, as a governmental bureau or newspaper, having authority over and responsibility for particular operations within the organization: city desk; foreign desk.
  5. a table or counter, as in a library or office, at which a specific job is performed or a service offered: an information desk; reception desk.
  6. a stand used to support sheet music; music stand.
  7. (in an orchestra) a seat or position assigned by rank (usually used in combination): a first-desk flutist.
—adj.
  1. of or pertaining to a writing desk: a desk drawer.
  2. of a size or form suitable for use on a desk: desk dictionary.
  3. done at or based on a desk, as in an office or schoolroom: He used to be a traveling salesman, but now he has a desk job.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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